Background: This study was performed to characterize the incidence, costs, and risk factors associated with renal and cardiovascular adverse outcomes following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: Patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI using iso-osmolar contrast were enrolled at 39 centers. The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and major adverse renal and cardiovascular events (MARCE) was analyzed, as well as inpatient costs. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors. Results: Among 2,293 patients, the incidence of AKI and MARCE within 72 hours post-pPCI was 4.14% (n = 95) and 4.40% (n = 101), respectively. AKI and/or MARCE were associated with systolic blood pressure (AKI: odds ratio [OR], 1.009; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.000–1.018), hypertension (AKI: OR, 1.815; 95% CI, 1.133–2.906; MARCE: OR, 1.760;95% CI, 1.118–2.769), anterior wall infarction (AKI: OR, 1.895; 95% CI, 1.196–3.004; MARCE:OR, 1.939; 95% CI, 1.240–3.032), Killip class (AKI: OR, 1.465; 95% CI, 1.117–1.922; MARCE:OR, 1.467; 95% CI, 1.131–1.903), and serum creatinine (SCr; MARCE: OR, 1.006; 95% CI, 1.000–1.012). Hospitalization costs for patients with STEMI who developed AKI or MARCE were significantly higher than for those without AKI (9,595 ± 5,795 vs. 8,279 ± 3,872 USD, P = 0.003) or without MARCE (9,890 ± 5,616 vs. 8,255 ± 3,859 USD, P < 0.001). Conclusions In patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI with iso-osmolar contrast, the incidence of AKI and MARCE was associated with higher hospitalization costs. Systolic blood pressure, hypertension, anterior wall infarction, Killip class, and SCr were identified as risk factors for these outcomes.

BackgroundPatients with bipolar disorder exhibit persistent cognitive impairment across multiple domains， including executive function， memory， and attention. Furthermore， those with mixed features tend to have a poorer prognosis. Currently， research evidence regarding the characteristics of cognitive function and event-related potential P300， as well as their correlation， in patients with depressive episodes of bipolar disorder with mixed features remains limited. ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between cognitive function and event-related potential P300 in patients with depressive episodes of bipolar disorder with mixed features， analyze the influencing factors of cognitive function， so as to provide references for the improvement of cognitive function in this subtype of patients. MethodsA total of 73 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for depressive episodes of bipolar disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fifth edition （DSM-5） were enrolled from the outpatient and inpatient departments of Tianjin Anding Hospital from November 2021 to April 2024. The Hamilton Depression Scale-17 item（HAMD-17） was used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms， and the Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale Supplemented with Questions for the DSM-5 Mixed Features Specifier （CUDOS-M） was used to evaluate whether patients presented with mixed features. Based on the CUDOS-M total scores， patients were divided into two groups： the mixed features group （n=34） and the non-mixed features group （n=39）. The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery （MCCB） was used to assess cognitive function， and auditory event-related potential P300 testing was performed. Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlations between P300 indicators and MCCB scores. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to investigate the influencing factors of cognitive function. ResultsPatients with depressive episodes of bipolar disorder with mixed features had a longer total illness duration than those without mixed features， and the difference was statistically significant （t=2.030， P<0.05）. Analysis of covariance showed that the MCCB scores for processing speed， attention/vigilance， and reasoning and problem solving were all lower in the mixed features group than those in the non-mixed features group （F=3.650， 3.520， 4.213， P<0.01）. However， no significant difference was found between the two groups in P300 latency or amplitude （P>0.05）. Correlation analysis revealed that the MCCB attention/vigilance score was negatively correlated with P300 latency in patients with depressive episodes of bipolar disorder with mixed features （r_s=-0.576， P<0.01）. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that， in the mixed features group， years of education positively predicted processing speed （β=0.378， P<0.05）， while P300 latency （β=-0.699， P<0.01） and age （β=-0.424， P<0.01） negatively predicted attention/vigilance function. ConclusionPatients with depressive episodes of bipolar disorder with mixed features have a longer illness duration and more severe impairment in three cognitive domains： processing speed， attention/vigilance， and reasoning and problem solving. P300 latency may be an influencing factor of attention/vigilance function in patients with depressive episodes of bipolar disorder with mixed features ［Funded by Tianjin Key Medical Discipline Construction Project （number， TJYXZDXK-3-015B）； Hospital-level Scientific Research Project of Tianjin Anding Hospital （number， ADYKHT2021010）］

Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the modulation mechanism of Suanzaoren Decoction (SZRD) on basolateral amygdala (BLA) neuronal activity to alleviate chronic restraint stress (CRS)-related behavioral deficits. METHODS: The male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to 4 groups using the complete randomization method, including control (CON, n=19), CRS (n=19), SZRD (n=21), and fluoxetine (Flu, n=22) groups. Mice were restrained for 6 h per day, over a 21-d period to establish CRS models. The CON group remained in their cages without food or water during the 6-h matching period. SZRD and Flu groups received intragastric administration of SZRD (4.68 g/kg) and Flu (20 mg/kg) daily, respectively, 30 min before restraint for 21 consecutive days. The therapeutic effects of SZRD were evaluated using behavioral tests including the tail suspension test, elevated plus maze test, and forced swimming test. The cellular Fletcher B. Judson murine osteosarcoma proto-oncogene (c-Fos) expression in the BLA was measured using immunofluorescence, while action potential (AP) firing and synaptic transmission in BLA pyramidal neurons were evaluated using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. RESULTS: SZRD administration significantly increased time spent in the open arms and open-arm entries while reducing immobility time (P<0.05 or P<0.01). It downregulated CRS-induced c-Fos expression and AP firing of pyramidal neurons in the BLA (P<0.01). Additionally, SZRD selectively attenuated excitatory (P<0.01), but not inhibitory, synaptic transmission onto BLA pyramidal neurons. CONCLUSION SZRD alleviated CRS-induced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in mice by modulating the excitability and synaptic transmission of BLA pyramidal neurons.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Depression/complications* ; Pyramidal Cells/pathology* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Basolateral Nuclear Complex/pathology* ; Restraint, Physical ; Anxiety/complications* ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects* ; Stress, Psychological/physiopathology* ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism* ; Action Potentials/drug effects* ; Synaptic Transmission/drug effects*

Objective:To compare the efficacy of Ilizarov ring external fixation and unilateral rail external fixation in the treatment of infected bone defects following surgery for tibial fractures.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 50 patients with infected bone defects after surgery for tibial fractures, who were admitted to the 940th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the PLA from August 2019 to November 2021, including 37 males and 13 females, aged 19-59 years [(42.2±8.8)years]. After debridement and osteotomy, 28 patients were treated with Ilizarov ring external fixation (Ilizarov group) and 22 with unilateral rail external fixation (unilateral fixation group). All the patients in the two groups had previously undergone internal fixation with plates or Kirschner wires for tibial fracture before bone transport. Bone transport started at one week for three stages after successful infection control and osteotomy and was conducted. The following parameters were compared between the two groups: frame-wearing time and healing index after bone transport, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) grade at 6 months after bone transport, Paley score and Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) score at the last follow-up, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and Baird-Jackson ankle score on admission, after external fixator removal and at the last follow-up, and incidence of postoperative complications.Results:All the patients were followed up for 28-36 months [(32.5±1.6)months]. There were no significant differences in frame-wearing time or healing index between the two groups after bone transport ( P>0.05). At 6 months after bone transport, the SAS grade in the unilateral fixation group (13 patients with mild anxiety, 8 with moderate anxiety, and 1 with severe anxiety) was better than that in the Ilizarov group (6 patients with mild anxiety, 19 with moderate anxiety, 3 with severe anxiety) ( P<0.01). No significant differences were found in the Paley score or ASAMI score between the two groups at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in HSS knee score or Baird-Jackson ankle score between the two groups on admission, after external fixator removal or at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of pin tract infection, poor healing, infection in the bone elongation area, or re-fracture between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative axial deviation was 0 in the Ilizarov group, lower than 18% in the unilateral fixation group (4/22) ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Although Ilizarov ring external fixation and unilateral rail external fixation demonstrate comparable efficacy in the treatment of infected bone defects after surgery for tibial fractures, the former provides superior mechanical stability and postoperative axial deviation correction, while the latter offers advantages in reducing psychological burden and enhancing treatment tolerance.

Objective:To analyse the effect of ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy and the coaxial biopsy needle tract radiofrequency ablation on patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma who are considered to be at risk of bleeding.Methods:The data of 117 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent coaxial biopsy needle tract radiofrequency ablation after ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy in Peking University First Hospital from March 2019 to April 2023 were retrospectively analysed. There were 95 males and 22 females, with the age of (62.0±11.8) years. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on the following variables: the pre-puncture platelet count, the international standardised ratio, anticoagulation therapy, the haemoglobin (Hb) level, the success rate of the liver puncture, the qualified rate of liver puncture specimens, the number of puncture samples, the length of hospital stay, the Hb level after puncture, bleeding within 10 days post-operation, and complications after ablation, including biliary fistula, hemothorax and organ perforation.Results:Among the 117 patients, 60 cases (51.3%) had an international normalized ratio >1.1, 40 cases (34.2%) had thrombocytopenia, that is, <150×10 9/L, and 17 cases (14.5%) received continuous anticoagulation therapy before the operation. It is evident that all 117 patients successfully completed the ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy, and that all liver biopsy specimens were qualified. The absence of biliary fistula, hemothorax, organ perforation or death in the patients post-ablation was noted. According to the adverse event evaluation criteria, version 5.0, 113 cases (96.6%) were classified as grade 1 and 4 cases (3.4%) were classified as grade 3. The Hb concentration of patients with minor bleeding (grade 1) prior to puncture was (119.7±22.2) g/L, which was significantly higher than the Hb concentration of patients with severe bleeding (grade 3), (76.0±10.4) g/L ( t=3.92, P=0.010). A meticulous examination of the data revealed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with regard to pre-puncture platelet count, pre-puncture international standardised ratio, pre-puncture proportion of receiving anticoagulant drugs, length of hospital stay and number of puncture samples (all P>0.05). Conclusion:For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who are at risk of bleeding, ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy followed by coaxial biopsy needle tract radiofrequency ablation can obtain satisfactory liver tissue samples and is relatively safe. There were differences in hemoglobin levels before puncture among patients with different bleeding after puncture.

Cervical spinal cord injury without fracture-dislocation (CSCIWFD) is referred to as a special type of cervical spinal cord injury characterized by traumatic spinal cord dysfunction and no significant bony structural abnormalities on imagines. Duo to the high risk of missed diagnosis during the initial consultation, CSCIWFD may lead to progressive neurological deterioration or even complete paralysis, severely impacting patients′ prognosis. Currently, there are no established consensuses over the diagnosis and treatment of CSCIWFD, such as the lack of evidence-based standards for indications of non-surgical treatment and risk of secondary neurological injury, as well as debates over the optimal timing for surgical intervention and indications for different surgical approaches. To address these issues, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the relevant fields to formulate Diagnosis and treatment guideline for acute cervical spinal cord injury without fracture- dislocation in adults ( version 2025) . Based on evidence-based medicine and the principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability, the guidelines proposed 11 recommendations covering terminology, diagnosis, evaluation treatment, and rehabilitation, etc., aiming to standardize the management of CSCIWFD.

Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.

Thoracolumbar spine fracture often leads to severe pain, functional impairments, and neurological deficits, for which open reduction and internal fixation can effectively restore the spinal structural stability. Open decompression and reduction with internal fixation can help relieve spinal cord compression and improve spinal function in cases of concomitant cord injury. Although spinal stability can be restored through surgery, patients often face chronic pain and functional impairments postoperatively. A postoperative rehabilitation program is critical in optimizing therapeutic outcomes, reducing complications, and minimizing the risk of secondary injuries. However, current rehabilitation methods, such as physical therapy, functional training, and pain management, are confronted with problems in clinical practice, including significant variation in efficacy, poor patient adherence, and prolonged rehabilitation period. There is an urgent need for a unified rehabilitation strategy to address these problems. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and the Spine Health Professional Committee of the Chinese Human Health Technology Promotion Association organized experts from relevant fields to formulate Evidence-based guidelines for rehabilitation treatment after internal fixation of thoracolumbar spine fracture in adults ( version 2025) by integrating evidences from clinical researches and advanced rehabilitation concepts at home and abroad. A total number of 14 recommendations concerning the rehabilitation treatment with multimodal analgesia, psychological intervention, deep vein thrombosis prevention, core muscle and extremity exercise, appropriate use of braces, early weight-bearing, device-aided rehabilitation exercise, neuroregulatory therapy, rehabilitation team were put forward, aiming to standardize the post-operative rehabilitation process following internal fixation, promote the functional recovery, and enhance patients′ quality of life.